Iran says not seeking nuclear weapons but will assert ‘legitimate rights’
As a fragile ceasefire with Israel took hold after 12 days of fighting that also included US strikes, Pezeshkian told...
Geostrategy
Iranian ballistic missiles target US base in Qatar, the largest in Middle East
No casualties reported in the attack that came a day after the US attacked three key nuclear facilities in Iran....
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
OPEC Fund announces $352m for global development operations
The OPEC Fund for International Development has approved $352 million for sustainable development operations globally at the organization’s 178th Session...
- Members of the Governing Board also reviewed several milestones achieved as part of the OPEC Fund Strategic Framework 2030, including inaugural credit ratings.
- The Strategic Framework 2030 is designed to diversify the OPEC Fund’s financial resources and deliver greater development impact
Arts & Culture
Google celebrates Bahrain’s national day with a dedicated animated doodle
The modern state of Bahrain was founded by Ahmed Al Fateh in 1783 and on 16 December 1971, Isa Bin...
- Bahrain was founded by Ahmed Al Fateh in 1783 and on 16 December 1971, Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa became the first emir of the country, marking the national day.
- Traditionally, Bahrain’s historic achievements and culture are celebrated over two days with entertainment such as magic and laser shows.
Geostrategy
Tunisia’s speaker Ghannouchi rejects extension of parliament freeze
President Kais Saied recently announced the extension of a suspension until Tunisians vote for a replacement assembly in December 2022. Saied said...
- On December 13, President Saied said he would call a constitutional referendum next July and that parliamentary elections would follow.
- In September this year, Saied brushed aside most of the 2014 democratic constitution to say he could rule by decree.
Geostrategy
Iran-linked hackers attack Israeli targets, says Tel Aviv firm
An Iran-linked hacking group attacked seven Israeli targets over a 24-hour period this week, an Israeli cyber-security firm said, in...
- The targets of the attack by the group called "Charming Kitten" included the Israeli "government and business sector", the firm said.
- Israel has been blamed for a series of cyber-attacks on Iranian infrastructure, including the country's fuel distribution system in October.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia sends humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, first after Taliban takeover
Saudi Arabia sent two aircraft carrying humanitarian aid to Afghanistan Thursday, state media reported, its first such initiative since the...
- The kingdom's state-run King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) sent more than 65 tons of aid, including 1,647 food baskets.
- More than half of Afghanistan's 38 million people face "acute" food shortages, according to the United Nations.
Economy
Nearly 14,000 Bahraini nationals invested in UAE companies in 2020
A total of 13, 978 Bahraini nationals have invested in UAE public shareholding companies in 2020 and 331 licenses for...
- Trade between the UAE and Bahrain in 2020 was valued at AED20.1 billion and more Bahraini nationals were entering the Emirates real estate market.
- In 2020, the value of real estate deals signed by Bahraini citizens in the UAE reached AED228 million.
Geostrategy
UNHCR, UNICEF hail Korea’s aid for refugee rehab programs in Iran
South Korea's $2.5 million aid for programs supporting Afghan refugees in Iran has been hailed by the UN High Commissioner...
- South Korea's has announced $2.5 million in aid recently and its total aid in the past seven years for Afghan refugees totals $30 million.
- It is estimated that up to 300,000 Afghan asylum-seekers have fled to Iran this year alone in search of safety.
Geostrategy
Turkey appoints envoy to normalize ties with Armenia
Armenia and Turkey have never established formal diplomatic ties. The two countries' relations are particularly tense over World War I-era...
- Turkish and Armenian companies ask permission for charter flights between Istanbul and Yerevan
- The common border between Armenia and Turkey has been closed since the 1990s
Geostrategy
UN chief says cross-border aid to Syria rebel bastion vital
In July, the US and Russia allowed for a 6-month extension of activity at Bab al-Hawa, the only border crossing...
- In July, the US and Russia allowed for a 6-month extension of activity at Bab al-Hawa, the only border crossing through which aid reaches the rebel stronghold of Idlib province
- In an internal report, the UN chief Guterres refers to another project for humanitarian operations, this time across the front lines to reach Idlib
Geostrategy
Queen Elizabeth II holds in-person meeting with Oman’s sultan
Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday made a rare public appearance, hosting Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tareq and his wife, Sayyida...
- The 95-year-old monarch has cut back on her engagements since an overnight hospital stay in October that raised fears for her health and prompted doctors to advise rest.
- Sultan Haitham bin Tareq, who studied at Oxford University, came to power after the death of his cousin, Sultan Qaboos, last year.
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
Iran says not seeking nuclear weapons but will assert ‘legitimate rights’
As a fragile ceasefire with Israel took hold after 12 days of fighting that also included US strikes, Pezeshkian told...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
International forces respond to drone reports in Red Sea: UK agency
The Houthi rebels say they are acting in support of Hamas, targeting Israel and Israeli-linked vessels to push for a...
Geostrategy
UAE and Azerbaijan presidents pledge to boost ties
Baku, Azerbaijan-- The UAE and Azerbaijan have discussed ways to enhance cooperation in renewable energy, environmental protection, culture, education, and...
Geostrategy
Hizbollah targets Israeli base in revenge attack
In a statement, Hizbollah said that it targeted the "enemy's northern command centre" in the Israeli city of Safed with...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Economy
UAE economy likely to grow by 3.8 percent in 2025, says World Bank
WASHINGTON, US - The World Bank expected the UAE's real GDP to grow by 3.4 percent in 2023, rising to...
- The World Bank forecast the growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to rise to 3.6 percent in 2024 and 3.8 percent in 2025.
- The report said that the growth rate in the Middle East and North Africa region slowed down sharply to 1.9 percent in 2023.
Geostrategy
2023 hottest recorded year as Earth nears critical threshold
PARIS, FRANCE - The year of 2023 was the hottest on record, with the increase in Earth's surface temperature nearly crossing...
- Climate change intensified heatwaves, droughts and wildfires and pushed the global thermometer 1.48 C in 2023 above the preindustrial benchmark.
- Nearly half of 2023 exceeded the 1.5C limit, beyond which climate impacts are more likely to become self-reinforcing and catastrophic, said scientists.
Geostrategy
Israel is starving Gaza residents, says NGO
RAMALLAH, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES - Everyone in Gaza is going hungry and about 2.2 million people are surviving day by day...
- The NGO said that Gaza Strip was already in the throes of a humanitarian crisis before the war, mainly due to Israel’s 17-year blockade.
- Given this starting point, it is clear as to why the Gaza Strip plummeted into a full-blown catastrophe so quickly.